What, Exactly, Is A "Moderate Democrat"?

[tucsonlib]

Seriously. I'm addressing you self-described "moderates" out there. What, if anything, do you stand for? No offense, but when I hear "moderate", I think "wishy-washy".

Do moderates believe that everything is negotiable? Is there any issue or principle that moderates aren't willing to compromise on?

Or does "moderate" imply that you subscribe to that old saw: "All things in moderation"? Like, you'll condone some corruption, dishonesty or criminal activity as long as it's not done to excess.

If one of your colleagues in Congress voted "nay" to a war funding bill, would you applaud the action as principled? Or would you denounce it as "extremist"? Or even "un-American"?

Why do you eschew and denounce all things progressive? Why do you wear the "moderate" label with such self-righteous pride? Reminds me of Bush bragging about being a "C" student.

And finally, what is the difference, if any, between "Moderate Democrats" and "Moderate Republicans"?


Thanks.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. Every "moderate Democrat" I've run into has been more socially conservative than...

any "moderate Republican" I've run into.

In my experience, "moderate Dems" tend to be socially conservative and "moderate Republicans" tend to be pretty socially liberal.

[dmallind]

8. Usually the other way round in my experience

A moderate Dem is far more likely to depart from the true believers on economic issues than social ones.

[xchrom]

2. the ones who are afraid someone will label them as liberal? nt

[QC]

3. A Republican who only goes to church three or four times a week. n/t

[NoPasaran]

4. I believe in our inalienable right to free chips and salsa in TexMex restaurants

Since you're asking.

[imdjh]

12. Green salsa and real chips, not this Taco Bell and Mission crap most places serve. nt

[TahitiNut]

5. Someone who values their own comfort more than YOUR rights?

:shrug:

[tucsonlib]

9. I Like It...

But wouldn't that also apply to Repug moderates?

[TahitiNut]

20. Is there a difference?

I can't say that I've noticed. :shrug: Then again, I'm an independent, so maybe I've missed something.

[dmallind]

6. Dunno why this is difficult.

Moderates are those who don't go in lock step with the extreme on every issue but make up their own minds.

Think some people should be able to own guns? That trade with other countries sometimes helps both parties? That we occasionally need to use force in global politics? That we should let companies have some say in who they employ and for how long? Then you have some moderate opinions!

Anybody who always goes with one far wing is an unthinking idiot, regardless of which wing that is.

The difference? Well typically it usually boils down to how many issues you agree with the Republicans on versus the Democrats. Let's say there are 100 issues. What would YOU call somebody who agrees with the Democrats on 75? The Republicans on 75?

By the way remember that the Democratic party platform - voted on by those who active Democrats elected to the relevant committees - is FAR more centrist than DU on the whole.

[HughMoran]

11. "Moderates are those who don't go in lock step with the extreme on every issue but make up their own

minds"

Brilliant!

Amazing how such a simple concept can be twisted so badly. And to the person above, all moderates I know are socially liberal but fiscally conservative - exactly the opposite of what was claimed.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. +1 and by that I mean that I am

agreeing with the description not necessarily the policies...............

[Raineyb]

26. Then why are the so-called "moderate" Dems going along with the Republicans who have

proven themselves to be on the extreme of every issue.

Your definition fails.

A better definition: Moderate Democrats = Republicans. Moderate Republicans = Santa Clause. (Neither exists.)

[DJ13]

7. A Depublican

Note that the MSM always portrays moderates as the vast majority in the party so they can reinforce the conservative message the Democratic moderates represent.

[dmallind]

10. Well think of it this way.

88% of Dems approve of Obama's job performance - more than 60% very strongly. Think DU has the same ratio? Who then are the representative Democrats?

[imdjh]

13. A mod dem will vote dem, a mod rep will vote rep. So don't be nasty to mod dems.

A moderate democrat is not a conservative democrat. I think you left out two whole layers between mod rep and mod dem. Lib rep and con dem might be pretty close, but the dem is still more likely to vote dem than the rep is.

Unfortunately, the con dem might vote republican, whereas the lib rep will almost never vote for a dem.

[Old and In the Way]

27. I think the last liberal Republican died in 2003 and that political species is now extinct.

I'm pretty sure the moderate Republican is on the endangered list.

Seriously, there are lots of newcomers to the Democratic Party and Independent ranks. Lots of ex-Republicans who can't support the current manifestation of the GOP. However, they are more likely to be Blue Dog type Dems. Sort of dilutes the brand. I think it will take another couple of election cycles to get a large enough progressive majority to break the Blue Dem - Republican voting block that we have in Congress.

[Coyote_Bandit]

15. Moderate Democrat = Corporate Democrat

Obama, for example.

[blue neen]

16. Talk about "self-righteous pride". Why did you have to make your post sound so insulting?

In answer to your question, I consider myself a moderate because there are some issues that I consider myself totally liberal about (actually most issues), but there are some that I have a rather conservative point of view on.

For the record, I hardly denounce all things progressive. By the way, what work have you done for the Democratic Party lately? I certainly hope you were at an Organizing for America meeting last Saturday, and there is plenty of work to be done for the National Health Care Day of Service Event on June 27, 2009.

[tucsonlib]

17. Why did you have to make your post sound so insulting? n/t

[blue neen]

19. Well dude, I would say that you reaped what you had sown.

Ask a respectful question, and you will get a respectful answer.

[nevergiveup]

18. Oh great!

A post bashing "Moderate Democrats". If the Democratic Party dumps all moderates then it will control maybe a couple of states. I know more moderate Democrats than liberal Democrats and their views fluctuate all over the place. Most of the liberal Republicans I have known have become either Independents or moderate Democrats including several family members and they all voted for both Obama and Durbin in the last election. If someone asks me I will usually say I am liberal as I am totally anti-war and my views on social issues are generally liberal and in some cases quite radical but there are times when most on DU would call me a moderate/centrist/traitor because I sometimes and I repeat "sometimes" view a compromise resolution as better than no resolution at all.

[tucsonlib]

25. Re: Oh great!

I apologize if it appeared I was "bashing" all moderate Democrats. I was trying to target our elected officials. Those who use their "moderate" bona fides to rationalize why they refuse to support Single Payer, continue to fund the war, allow war criminals to go unpunished, etc. etc.

[rwenos]

21. Logical Positions

Speaking for myself, the following things separate me, a lifelong red-blooded loyal Democrat (who has never ONCE voted for a Republican since the first election I voted, in 1972):

1. I'm suspicious of extreme environmentalists and extreme, inflexible pacifism.
2. I am for a strong defense -- an intelligent, high-tech one -- and in American's leading role in the world.
3. I support the armed services (which have included several family members), although not slavishly.
4. I think the government should do MORE, not less, to regulate the multinationals and the stock market.
5. I believe in the rule of law, the right to counsel, the right to privacy, and the 4th Amendment.
6. I believe in vigorous antitrust enforcement, and think Big Bill's repeal of Glass-Steagall was a huge mistake.
7. I believe in unions.
8. I believe in choice.

I consider myself a moderate Democrat. I believe in these things passionately. And I will NEVER be a Republican.

And, on edit: National Single-Payer Health Care! Medicare for everyone!

[Kaleva]

22. Moderates damper down the excesses of the opposite wings

[rwenos]

23. Exactly! n/t

*

[rucky]

28. That's what they stand for?

Standing against?

Sounds about right.

[tigereye]

24. someone slightly to the right of Kucinich?

:rofl:


I'm so tired of this question. Moderate Democrats are often socially liberal and they voted in Obama en masse.

[leftstreet]

29. People who hope their personal choices will make them wealthy someday n/t